Acting locally on climate change

D.C.'s lagging response prompts states, cities to launch own plans

JULIET EILPERIN, Washington Post

Published
5:30 am CDT, Saturday, August 12, 2006

With Washington lawmakers deadlocked on how to best curb global warming, state and local officials across the country are adopting ambitious policies and forming international alliances aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.

The initiatives, which include demands that utilities generate some of their energy using renewable sources and mandates for a reduction in emissions from motor vehicles, have emboldened clean-air advocates who hope they will become the foundation for broader national action.

Patchwork of regulations

But in the meantime, some businesses say the local and state actions are creating a patchwork of regulations difficult to comply with.

This flurry of action is part of a growing movement among state and local leaders who have given up hope that Congress and the Bush administration will tackle major issues, and who are launching their own initiatives on immigration, stem cell research and energy policy.

Last week alone, former president Bill Clinton launched an effort with 22 of the world's largest cities to cut their emissions, while California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said they will explore trading carbon dioxide pollution credits across the Atlantic.

Some local officials said they are pushing ahead with plans because the administration, which has promoted cleaner technology but opposes mandatory curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, has failed to adequately address the problem.

"Like most mayors, I'm disappointed the federal government has not taken more of a lead on this issue, but so be it. We're moving forward," said Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, who is expanding public transportation in his city.

Chavez has persuaded some other U.S. mayors to pledge to make their cities' buildings carbon-neutral by 2030, meaning their net carbon dioxide emissions would be zero.

"State and local governments are less removed from their constituents, so they're more responsive to voters' concerns," said Profeta, who sits on North Carolina's climate-change commission. "Climate change is on people's minds, and they're asking for action."

'A portfolio of policies'

Bush's top environmental adviser,
James Connaughton
, said the president welcomes state and local initiatives because they complement the administration's approach to global warming.

"They're pursuing a portfolio of policies, not a one-size-fits-all policy," Connaughton said, adding that the U.S. also is focused on voluntary pacts such as China's pledge to improve its power production efficiency 20 percent by 2010. "At the end of the day, what matters is performance, and we're all making about the same rate of progress."